Every week, we’ll track Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson as he climbs the all-time receptions and receiving yardage charts in his ninth NFL season. This might be a year or two early, but I like history, so sue me.

Through two games in 2011, Johnson ranks 36th in NFL history in receptions (687) and 40th in receiving yards (9,352). The five-time Pro Bowler needs 80 receptions and 1,598 receiving yards to break into the top 25 all-time in both categories.

Stats and information in this post provided by the Texans’ public relations department.

Notes: Johnson passed Coles for 36th all-time in Week 1. He was the second-fastest player in NFL history to 600 catches, reaching the milestone in 104th career game (Week 2 at Washington in 2010). Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin has since reached 600 receptions in fewer games, making Johnson third-fastest all-time.

Notes: Johnson passed Berry for 40th all-time in Week 2. He was the sixth-fastest player in NFL history to 9,000 receiving yards, reaching the milestone in his 114th career game (Week 14 vs. Baltimore in 2010).

I know most of the people on here think he is a lock but I'm not sure. Looking at the names he is compared to in this article, its no lock.

If Chris Carter, Andre Reed and Tim Brown aren't in the hall why will AJ make it?

Main reason...

Because those 3 WRs that you mentioned WILL ALL be in the hall one day ...as will A.J. and Andre's story is still being written.

The only thing that hurts Andre is his T.D. totals...and that's the ONLY thing that's hurting him, but in the end that won't hurt him all that much. Because whoever from Houston is arguing his case to the voters (whether that be McClain or whoever) they'll be able to make the case that unlike those other 3 guys, Andre Johnson never played with a "elite" QB who could really "put it on him". Andre gets the same red zone catches those guys do. What he's lacking is the big bomb T.D.s He's off to a good start this season with his T.D. totals, so hopefully he'll finally get his "double digit" TD season.

I know most of the people on here think he is a lock but I'm not sure. Looking at the names he is compared to in this article, its no lock.

If Chris Carter, Andre Reed and Tim Brown aren't in the hall why will AJ make it?

Those other guys were never considered one of the best two or three WRs for a five year stretch. They were considered very prolific receivers, but that's not exactly the same. I think Reed was the most highly regarded of that list during his playing days, despite the insanely high reception totals that Cris Carter put up. And Tim Brown was always highly regarded, and was one of the most consistent WRs ever, but I don't think he gets much run as the best WR of his era.

Part of all that is probably because Rice was outplaying all of them, LOL.

__________________Hey O'Brien: "How do you tell a guy who is used to catching 80 balls a year that he was going to catch 40?"... You jackass.

The only thing that hurts Andre is his T.D. totals...and that's the ONLY thing that's hurting him, but in the end that won't hurt him all that much.

I'll be honest - his TD totals bug the crap out of me. Part of the problem is the lack of a QB for a while, a wasted 2005 season when he was never thrown the ball more than 7 yards from the LOS, and the schemes in which he's played. He also seemed to lead the league in catches to the 1-yd line for a few seasons there, LOL. But mostly, people like to compare him to Jerry Rice, and all I can think of every time I hear that is Jerry Rice catching some little slant or drag, making a couple people miss, and taking it to the house ..... over and over and over again. Rice didn't really play in a vertical offense either, but he made TDs out of plays that very few receivers do today, not even AJ. And now, AJ does play in a more vertical offense than he used to.

And the thing is, I always hated Rice, in the impersonal way that you hate a really good player. I want AJ to be the next Jerry Rice. But it's just not going to happen. But as this team enters what should be its prime window of opportunity, I would at least like to see AJ notch a few seasons fo double digit TDs.

None of this diminishes my esteem for AJ. He is my all time favorite WR for sure. He is to the WR position what Earl was to the RB position. Sure, you can argue that Jim Brown was greater, but I'm just not hearing it. I'm pretty close to that place with AJ vs. Rice. It's just hard to ignore those numbers by Rice.

__________________Hey O'Brien: "How do you tell a guy who is used to catching 80 balls a year that he was going to catch 40?"... You jackass.

I'll be honest - his TD totals bug the crap out of me. Part of the problem is the lack of a QB for a while, a wasted 2005 season when he was never thrown the ball more than 7 yards from the LOS, and the schemes in which he's played. He also seemed to lead the league in catches to the 1-yd line for a few seasons there, LOL. But mostly, people like to compare him to Jerry Rice, and all I can think of every time I hear that is Jerry Rice catching some little slant or drag, making a couple people miss, and taking it to the house ..... over and over and over again. Rice didn't really play in a vertical offense either, but he made TDs out of plays that very few receivers do today, not even AJ. And now, AJ does play in a more vertical offense than he used to.

And the thing is, I always hated Rice, in the impersonal way that you hate a really good player. I want AJ to be the next Jerry Rice. But it's just not going to happen. But as this team enters what should be its prime window of opportunity, I would at least like to see AJ notch a few seasons fo double digit TDs.

None of this diminishes my esteem for AJ. He is my all time favorite WR for sure. He is to the WR position what Earl was to the RB position. Sure, you can argue that Jim Brown was greater, but I'm just not hearing it. I'm pretty close to that place with AJ vs. Rice. It's just hard to ignore those numbers by Rice.

There area so many factors that you can't ignore with Rice vs. Andre as well. Rice played in an offense that was almost ahead of its time surrounded by weapons all over the place.

I agree that Andre should have more touchdowns at this point in his career based on the numbers he's put up, but I think he'll accumulate those as his career progresses. Both TO and Moss put up high TD numbers later in their career. I think AJ can do the same.

I agree that Andre should have more touchdowns at this point in his career based on the numbers he's put up, but I think he'll accumulate those as his career progresses. Both TO and Moss put up high TD numbers later in their career. I think AJ can do the same.

AJ has played 8 seasons. He had 50 receiving TDs through those 8 seasons. I'm not looking at this year yet.

Rice as the obvious standard bearer had 103 TDs through 8 seasons. That's just ..... wow.

Randy Moss had 98 TDs in his first 8 years. TO had 81 receiving TDs. Marvin Harrison is a bad example, but will be considered to have played in roughly the same era, and had 83 TDs his first 8 seasons. Largent had 60 TDs back in the late 70s and early 80s in his first 8 seasons. Fitzgerald has only played 7 years and has 65 TDs. Roddy White and Calvin Johnson already have 38 and 37, respectively, and they've played much shorter careers.

AJ is going to be judged against these guys. And he has the edge in many areas, especially in yards per game. But as the game continues to turn into a video game and the stats go right along with it, you have to wonder if that will cause a few voters to withhold their votes.

At the end of the day, it's all about playoff performances, though. If the Texans win a SB and he plays well, he's an absolute lock. He's almost a lock as it is.

__________________Hey O'Brien: "How do you tell a guy who is used to catching 80 balls a year that he was going to catch 40?"... You jackass.

AJ has played 8 seasons. He had 50 receiving TDs through those 8 seasons. I'm not looking at this year yet.

Rice as the obvious standard bearer had 103 TDs through 8 seasons. That's just ..... wow.

Randy Moss had 98 TDs in his first 8 years. TO had 81 receiving TDs. Marvin Harrison is a bad example, but will be considered to have played in roughly the same era, and had 83 TDs his first 8 seasons. Largent had 60 TDs back in the late 70s and early 80s in his first 8 seasons. Fitzgerald has only played 7 years and has 65 TDs. Roddy White and Calvin Johnson already have 38 and 37, respectively, and they've played much shorter careers.

AJ is going to be judged against these guys. And he has the edge in many areas, especially in yards per game. But as the game continues to turn into a video game and the stats go right along with it, you have to wonder if that will cause a few voters to withhold their votes.

At the end of the day, it's all about playoff performances, though. If the Texans win a SB and he plays well, he's an absolute lock. He's almost a lock as it is.

I agree with you completely. Its the ONLY knock anyone can throw out there about him right now. But if he can get to 100+ touchdowns then I believe he'll had a really good chance to reach Canton. Unfortunately no one will have sympathy because we had David Carr throwing to him early in his career. If we get to the playoffs and have continued success for the rest of his career then those really good chances become great.

50 TD's over the next 4 years isn't out of the question if we give him opportunities. I know he hasn't had a double digit TD season yet in his career but I have a hard time believing that will continue to be the case.

I know most of the people on here think he is a lock but I'm not sure. Looking at the names he is compared to in this article, its no lock.

If Chris Carter, Andre Reed and Tim Brown aren't in the hall why will AJ make it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

(Puts on flame retardant suit)

No need for the suit. I'm STILL wondering why the HoF selection folks are so anti-WR.

__________________
Loyalty to any one sports team is pretty hard to justify. ...the players are always changing, the team can move to another city, you're actually rooting for the clothes when you get right down to it.

My concern in the era of stat inflation is that numbers alone won't cut it.

That actually plays into AJ's hands, IMO. He's one of the few WRs that transcends the stats. People watch AJ play and they know beyond the shadow of a doubt that he's better than his stats. But there's no doubt, he needs the playoff performances to seal the deal.

__________________Hey O'Brien: "How do you tell a guy who is used to catching 80 balls a year that he was going to catch 40?"... You jackass.

My case for him to be in the hall of fame would be simple (if the stats hold true as they do now):

1. Andre retires as the all-time leader in reception yards per game.

2. Andre retires with the most 10+ catch/100+ yard games of any WR.

3. I show film of Andre being the best run-blocking WR of his era.

and finally, call it homer-ism, but:

4. I show the video of Andre bowling over three LB/S in our loss to the Cardinals. - This, to me, shows that Andre was the best all-around WR of his era. Fitzgerald makes some insane catches, but how is his blocking? Can he run through defenders lining him up for a killshot?

I think Andre's biggest knock so far is that he hasn't had a chance to shine on a big stage. Didn't O.J. only go to the playoffs once or twice? I know he was a stat-machine, but surely there's hall of fame players out there that are in for more than just stats.